The continual enterprise of maintaining and upgrading the University goes into high gear during the summer months. UConn’s Planning Architectural & Engineering Services Department had 46 projects on its summertime to-do list. About 30 of those were wrapped up by the time students moved in.
Some of the recent notable projects that are at or near completion:
Next Generation Connecticut Hall, a new multi-story, 727-bed dormitory complex that will house eight Living & Learning Communities, as will include community gathering places, seminar rooms, and a ‘maker space’ to encourage innovation across disciplines.
Putnam Refectory dining hall, which is undergoing renovations to increase its seating capacity and improve self-service buffet areas, making room for students who will live in the new Next Generation Connecticut Hall nearby.
Replacement of the utility infrastructure on North Eagleville Road, including upgrades to steam, water, and electrical systems to ensure reliable services supporting buildings and student and faculty needs. Upon completion of the utility work, targeted for September, new trees will be planted, lawns restored, sidewalks upgraded, and three new seating areas – two at the Towers residences and one at the Dairy Bar – will be installed.
Work that will continue this year:
Innovation Partnership Research Building on Discovery Drive, the first facility in UConn’s Technology Park, which began in 2015. When it is completed in fall 2017, the building will feature two specialty laboratories housing state-of-the-art equipment and instrumentation that will enable UConn researchers to readily partner with industry scientists.
Engineering & Science Building on Glenbrook Road. The new building will house high-performance laboratories for research in such fields as bio-nano engineering, cyber-physical systems engineering, and chemical engineering. Completion is targeted for summer 2017.
Student Recreation Center on Hillside Road. Now that the previous student housing at the Connecticut Commons has been taken down this summer, the construction of the new 200,000 square-foot facility will go ahead.
Visit the Department of Planning Architectural & Engineering Services’ website, where construction maps offer more detailed information about UConn’s ongoing projects.
